FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 25, 2013) — The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) and the Smithsonian Institution will announce a new relationship at KHS’ annual Boone Day event.

Smithsonian Affiliation is a prestigious designation that will provide the opportunity to develop innovative collaborations as well as facilitate the loan of Smithsonian artifacts and traveling exhibitions. The affiliation will be announced by Harold A. Closter, director of Smithsonian Affiliations, on Saturday, June 29, at 6 p.m. The announcement will take place as part of the annual Boone Day celebration and will be followed by a talk by Smithsonian officials titled “New Directions for the Smithsonian and KHS: What do we have in Common?”

The new relationship between the Kentucky Historical Society and the Smithsonian is a significant honor for the Society. There are currently 177 Smithsonian Affiliates in 42 states, Puerto Rico and Panama.

“Partnering with the Smithsonian reflects the Kentucky Historical Society’s commitment to sharing the power of history with Kentuckians in as many ways as possible,” says Kent Whitworth, Director of the Kentucky Historical Society. “KHS’ innovative educational programs paired with the extensive resources of the Smithsonian will be a bold new opportunity for Kentucky history.”

As an Affiliate, KHS can share the Smithsonian’s extraordinary resources with the nation. Affiliation provides enhanced access to the more than 136 million objects in the Smithsonian collections, as well as the knowledge and experience of the scholars and experts at the Smithsonian.

“We are delighted to welcome the Kentucky Historical Society into our Smithsonian partnership program,” Closter said. “The Kentucky Historical Society is well known for its significant collections, accomplished staff, commitment to education, and service to the people of Kentucky. We look forward to developing exhibitions, programs, and research collaborations that will highlight the important work of both of our organizations and develop new avenues of understanding Kentucky history.”

About Smithsonian AffiliationsEstablished in 1996, Smithsonian Affiliations is a national outreach program which develops long-term collaborative partnerships with museums and educational and cultural organizations to enrich communities with Smithsonian artifacts, scholars, educational programs, and professional development opportunities. The long-term goal of Smithsonian Affiliations is to facilitate a two-way relationship among Smithsonian Affiliates and Smithsonian museums, research, education, and outreach organizations to increase discovery, inspiration, and lifelong learning in communities across America. More information about the Smithsonian Affiliations program and Affiliate activity is available at https://affiliations.si.edu.

An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinetand accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Kentucky Historical Society, established in 1836, is committed to helping people understand, cherish and share Kentucky's historyby providing connections to the past, perspective on the present and inspiration for the future. The KHS history campus includes the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History, the Old State Capitol and the Kentucky Military History Museum at the State Arsenal. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit www.history.ky.gov.